Isla Umbú facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Isla Umbú
Isla Umbú Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Ñeembucú
Founded	Siglo XVIII
Population  (2008)
• Total	320 hab.
Time zone	-4 Gmt
Postal code	2800

Isla Umbú is a small village in the Ñeembucú department of Paraguay. It is located about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of the city of Pilar. This village is known for its dairy farming.

Life in Isla Umbú

Isla Umbú is home to about 320 people. When you enter the village, you will see a special monument. The village supplies about 3,000 liters of milk every day to the nearby city of Pilar.

This charming old town keeps the feeling of past times. It was founded in 1860 by order of Don Carlos Antonio López, a former president of Paraguay. The village is in a quiet area of Ñeembucú, surrounded by swamps.

The streets of Isla Umbú are covered with natural grass. This makes the village feel very peaceful and quiet. There is not much car traffic here. Most people travel by motorcycles, horses, or carts on the dirt roads.

Next to the church, there is an old building block. This building was first used as a local government office (Cabildo). Later, it became an army barracks during a war. It was built using wood and bamboo (tacuara) tied with leather strings and mud.

A few years ago, this historic building was restored. It is now the Cnel. Pedro Hermosa Historical Museum. This museum honors Colonel Pedro Hermosa, a soldier from the War of 1870.

Children in Isla Umbú attend Elementary School No. 265 St. Athanasius. Older students go to the National Contralmirante Ramon E. Martino College. There is also a center for youth and adult education.

What People Do: Economy

The main activities in Isla Umbú are raising livestock and farming. People grow crops like corn, cotton, and various vegetables.

Beekeeping, which is raising bees for honey, is also important. The village is well-known for its milk production. This milk is sold daily to the neighboring city of Pilar.

Isla Umbú's History

Records from 1785 show that Governor Pedro Melo of Portugal gave an order. He asked Mr. Juan Jara to organize the people living between Villa del Pilar and Curupayty. This was to stop "infidel Indians" from entering the area.

Families were given free land and animals, including horses and cows. They also got a few years without paying taxes. At that time, the area was called Isla Umbú. A nearby place already had a chapel called Lord's Chapel. It is believed that the crucified Christ statue now on the altar was the first patron saint of Isla Umbú.

The Historic Church

The greatest treasure in Isla Umbú is its original church. Its construction began two years after the village was founded in 1860. The church has a colonial style from the 19th century. It has thick walls made of adobe (mud bricks). The roof is made of karanda'y palm, bamboo (tacuarillas), and tiles.

The floors are made of brick. There is also a loft for the choir. A large wooden cross from the early days stands at the entrance. Inside, the church feels very solemn.

At the center of the simple wooden altar is a statue of St. Athanasius. Local stories say that this saint became the protector of Isla Umbú. This happened after Marshal Francisco Solano López asked for his help during the Paraguayan War (1864–1870).

On May 2, 1866, before the Battle of Estero Bellaco, Marshal López made a promise. He said if he won the battle, he would make St. Athanasius the patron saint of the first church built after the war. And because he won, he kept his promise.

At the top of the altar, above the crucified Christ statue, you can see the Paraguayan national shield. It shows a star among palm and olive trees.

Historical Sites and Tourism

The Church's Restoration

The church had its first restoration work in 1970. Old wooden parts, damaged by time and termites, were replaced. A part of the roof, especially above the altar, was also repaired. Since then, these old buildings have been declared historical and cultural heritage sites of the nation.

The community helped to put the church bell back in its original place. They also redid the wood to match the original design. The people of Isla Umbú are very active in preserving their city's history and promoting tourism.

Isla Umbú Historical Museum

The Isla Umbú Historical Museum was restored and reopened four years ago. A group of villagers collected objects and relics for the museum. They even ran a radio program to ask people to donate items related to the town's history. People responded well, bringing many family belongings to create the collections. It was a big effort, going house to house to gather the items on display today.

In the museum halls, you can see many interesting things. There is a hand-carved wooden trunk (tajy) that families used to store water or seeds. You can also see old church clothes worn by priests. Other items include old eating utensils, sewing machines, lamps, voting boxes, trunks, coins, and photos of veterans from the Chaco War (1932–1935).

Another room holds items from the War of 1870. These include parts of weapons, rifles, bullets, and cart wheels. These were found in areas like Tajy and Boquerón, which are companies within Isla Umbú. Visitors are often curious about an iron bed with artistic designs. This bed belonged to Juanita Pesoa.

In the courtroom, where Marshal López supposedly stayed, there are oil paintings by Bartolome Martinez. These paintings show scenes of battles. Some also show women giving their jewelry to the Marshal. There are also portraits of Paraguayan heroes, Madama Lynch, and Pancha Garmendia.

La Laguna Chapel

La Laguna Chapel is located near the center of Isla Umbú. It is a beautiful and relaxing area. With its clear water and green surroundings, it attracts many visitors during the holiday season.

Important Festivals

The patron saint festival on May 2 is a very important event. Many villagers who moved away to find jobs in cities like Asunción, Ciudad del Este, Pilar, or Buenos Aires return for this day. Recently, some who went to Madrid (Spain) also come back.

The celebrations include "Torin" (bull runs), ring games, and a carousel festival. There are also food fairs, music from a "Bandita," and lots of joy.

Getting to Isla Umbú

From Pilar, you can find public transport every day. The village is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Pilar. The road is unpaved but can be used by most vehicles for most of the year. If you take the main route south towards Humaitá, you will find a dirt road that leads to Isla Umbú.

See also

In Spanish: Isla Umbú para niños